System and method for dynamically scheduling wireless transmissions without collision

ABSTRACT

A system and method dynamically schedule wireless transmissions without collision. A master transmitter periodically transmits a time mark during a first predefined time slot of a plurality of consecutive time slots that form a transmission block. Multiple consecutive transmission blocks form a frame. An announcement transmission from a wireless transmitting device is received via at least one receiver during a second predefined time slot of the plurality of time slots. An allocator allocates, at least partly based upon the received announcement transmission, a third time slot of the plurality of time slots to the wireless transmitting device. A time slot reservation area of at least one subsequently transmitted time mark includes indication of the allocation of the third time slot to the wireless transmitting device. The wireless transmitting device receives the subsequently transmitted time mark and transmits only during the third time slot of subsequent frames.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/192,017, titled “System And Method ForDynamically Scheduling Wireless Transmissions Without Collisions”, filedJul. 13, 2015. The above application is incorporated, in its entirety,herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Radio-frequency (RF) tracking is used in many different types ofsporting events and for a variety of purposes. In ballgames, RF tags maybe attached to players and balls to track their respective movements. Inthis case, each RF tag is in RF communication with multiple receivers atdifferent respective locations to determine the position of each RF tag.It is also commonplace to equip runners in a race with RF tags forfinish line timing, and in some cases for tracking the progress of therunners during the race. RF tracking is also utilized to transmitbiometric data of an athlete, such as an athlete's heart rate, bycoupling an RF tag with a biometric measurement device carried by theathlete.

In RF tracking, the RF tag attached to the object to be tracked (e.g.,athlete, ball, car, etc.) emits a radio signal that is detected by oneor more receivers. Based upon the expected speed of movement of thetracked objects, the ping rate (i.e., periodicity, frequency or rate oftransmission) from each tag may require between ten and one hundredlocates per second. Where many objects are tracked concurrently withinthe same field of operation, many tags may be configured to transmitfrequently, typically resulting in overlap of transmission. This isparticularly challenging in events like football where a large number offast moving objects are tracked to continuously provide positioninformation for each athlete and the ball. In many cases, the quality oflocation determination is compromised by transmission overlap, oftenresulting in failure to locate one or more objects. Thus, RFcommunication limitations impose limits on (a) the number of objectsthat can be simultaneously tracked and/or (b) the accuracy with whichthe objects can be tracked.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a system dynamically schedules wireless transmissionswithout collision within a repeating frame. Each frame is divided into aplurality of consecutive blocks and each block is divided into aplurality of consecutive time slots. A first predefined time slot ineach block is used for announcement transmissions. The system includes amaster transmitter capable of transmitting a master time mark during asecond predefined time slot in each block. The master time mark includesa time slot reservation area for indicating dynamic allocation of timeslots. The system also includes a processor communicatively coupled withthe master transmitter, a non-transitory memory communicatively coupledwith the processor, a time slot reservation table stored within thememory for tracking the predefined time slots and dynamic allocation ofthe time slots within each block, and an allocator, implemented asmachine readable instructions stored in the memory and executed by theprocessor, capable of: allocating, based upon the time slot reservationtable, at least one unallocated time slot in at least one of theplurality of blocks for use by a transmitting device in response to anannouncement message received from the transmitting device during thefirst predefined time slot; and updating the time slot reservation areaand the time slot reservation table to indicate the allocation of the atleast one time slot to the transmitting device. The transmitting devicereceives a subsequent master time mark and transmits only during theindicated at least one time slot of a subsequent frame.

In another embodiment, a method dynamically schedules wirelesstransmissions without collision. A master transmitter periodicallytransmits a time mark during a first predefined time slot of a pluralityof consecutive time slots that form a transmission block. Multipleconsecutive transmission blocks form a frame. An announcementtransmission from a wireless transmitting device is received via atleast one receiver during a second predefined time slot of the pluralityof time slots. An allocator allocates, at least partly based upon thereceived announcement transmission, a third time slot of the pluralityof time slots to the wireless transmitting device. A time slotreservation area of at least one subsequently transmitted time markincludes indication of the allocation of the third time slot to thewireless transmitting device. The wireless transmitting device receivesthe subsequently transmitted time mark and transmits only during thethird time slot of subsequent frames.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows one example system for dynamically scheduling wirelesstransmissions without collision, in an embodiment.

FIG. 2 shows one example time slot that is defined as the smallestperiod able to contain a transmission packet, in an embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows one example transmission block formed of one-hundred andtwenty-eight slots of FIG. 2, in an embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows one example frame having sixty-four blocks of FIG. 3, in anembodiment.

FIG. 5 shows one example data field of the master time mark of FIG. 4,in an embodiment.

FIG. 6 shows the time slot reservation area of FIG. 5 in further exampledetail, in an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating one example method for dynamicallyscheduling wireless transmissions without collision, in an embodiment.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are a flowchart illustrating one example method withdynamically scheduled wireless tag transmissions, in an embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a schematic illustrating example distribution of the timeslot allocations of FIG. 6 within the transmission frame of FIG. 4, inan embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This document describes example systems and methods for dynamicallyscheduling transmissions from a plurality of wireless tags. In theexamples shown, the wireless tag transmissions are used to track objectswithin an operational area using ranging techniques. However, thedisclosed dynamic scheduling systems and methods may be used for otherpurposes, such as data transfer, without departing from the scopehereof. The primary characteristics of the disclosed systems and methodsare a global clocking scheme that creates defined time slots that areused for slotted transmissions that favor high and adjustabletransmission rates, with dynamic and automatic registration andconfiguration of the wireless tags. The advantages of the disclosedsystems and methods are that transmission collisions are avoided bydynamically assigning one or more of the time slots for use by eachtransmitting device such that only one device is transmitting at any onetime.

FIG. 1 shows one example system 100 for dynamically scheduling wirelesstransmissions. System 100 operates to track objects (participants,officials, balls, equipment, etc.) at a sporting event, for example.System 100 includes a plurality of wireless tags 102 located within anoperational area 150 (e.g., each tag 102 may be attached to an object tobe tracked), at least one receiver 104 (also known as sensors andanchors), a master transmitter 106, optionally one or two slavetransmitters 108, and a computer 110. System 100 may use more or fewertags 102 and/or receivers 104 without departing from the scope hereof.System 100 receives transmissions from tags 102 when tags 102 are withinan operational area 150. The operational area 150 may include aperformance area 152, such as an American football field, a race track,or similar sporting arenas.

In the example of FIG. 1, system 100 is shown with four receivers104(1)-(4) positioned around operational area 150 and communicativelycoupled, via a network 120, with computer 110. Network 120 is forexample based upon one or more of Ethernet, Wi-Fi, UWB, cellular andUSB. Transmissions from wireless tags 102 are received by one or more ofreceivers 104 and information and data of those received transmissionsare sent to computer 110 via a network 120. Computer 110 includes one ormore processors 115, memory 111, and an allocator 112. The allocator 112may be implemented as software having machine readable instructionsstored within memory 111 and executed by processor 115 to configure tags102, receivers 104, and transmitters 106, 108 of system 100 foroperation, as described in detail below.

In one embodiment, wireless tags 102, receivers 104, and transmitters106, 108 operate within the ultra-wide-band (UWB) frequency range usingconventional UWB protocols, where each tag 102, receiver 104, andtransmitters 106, 108 is configured with, for example, at least oneDW1000 chip from DecaWave Ltd. The DW1000 is a fully integrated singlechip UWB low-power low-cost transceiver IC compliant toIEEE802.15.4-2011. However, wireless tags 102, receivers 104, andtransmitters 106, 108 may operate at other frequencies, use otherprotocols, and use other chips without departing from the scope hereof.

Timing:

In the following description, timing is based upon the duration of eachtransmission from wireless tags 102.

FIG. 2 shows one example time slot 200 that has a duration tt that islonger than the duration t of a transmission packet 202. That is, theduration of time slot 200 is long enough to include transmission packet202 and a dead time 206, which is a period where no transmission isdesired and is included to prevent transmission collision that mightoccur if a local clock of a wireless tag 102 transmitting in a firsttime slot drifts relative to a local clock of another wireless tag 102transmitting in an adjacent time slot 200. In one example, time slot 200has a period of 132 μs, giving a total of about 7,600 time slots persecond. In this example, transmission packet 202 includes a data field204, however, transmission packet 202 may have other formats withoutdeparting from the scope hereof. In one example, shortest duration t oftransmission packet 202 is 120 μs.

System 100, and in particular allocator 112, dynamically controlstransmission time (also known as air time) of transmitting devices(e.g., wireless tags 102, transmitter 106, 108) according to time slots200. The number of consecutive time slots 200 allocated for anyparticular transmission defines a maximum packet size that may betransmitted. That is, allocator 112 may allocate multiple time slots 200to any transmitting device to allow for transmissions requiring aduration greater than a single time slot 200.

FIG. 3 shows one example transmission block 300 that has a duration tbthat includes one-hundred and twenty-eight consecutive time slots 200,consecutively numbered 0 through 127. In this example, duration tb isabout 16.9 ms, and consecutive transmission blocks 300 therefore repeatat a frequency of about 59 Hz. However, other block durations, and thusthe number of time slots 200 contained therein, may be used withoutdeparting from the scope hereof.

The start of each transmission block 300 is signaled by a master timemark 302 that is transmitted by master transmitter 106, and optionallyfollowed by one or both of a slave time mark 304(1), transmitted byslave transmitter 108(1), and a slave time mark 304(2), transmitted byslave transmitter 108(2). In one embodiment, each time mark 302, 304, isallocated two time slots 200; specifically, time slots 0 and 1 arededicated for use by master time mark 302, time slots 2 and 3 arededicated for use by slave time mark 304(1), and time slots 4 and 5 arededicated for use by slave time mark 304(2). The number of time slotsallocated for use by time marks 302, 304 is based upon the amount ofdata to be included within each time mark. Time slot 127 is dedicatedfor announcement 308 transmission by tags 102, where any tag 102 that isnot yet configured may transmit an announcement 308 within time slot 127to announce its presence to system 100.

Allocator 112 dynamically allocates time slots 6 through 126 for use bytags 102 and optionally by receivers 104. Allocator 112 maintains a timeslot reservation table 114 within memory of computer 110 that defineswhich time slots 200 of each transmission block 300 are allocated foruse by each transmitting device (e.g., tags 102 and optionally receivers104, and transmitters 106, 108).

FIG. 4 shows one example transmission frame 400 with a duration tf thatincludes sixty-four consecutive transmission blocks 300. Continuing withthe above example, duration tf of each transmission frame 400 is justover one second.

Packet Format:

Within system 100, transmissions use the format defined in transmissionpacket 202 of FIG. 2, where data field 204 includes at least thefollowing data items:

Data Item Name Description packet type defines the kind of packet beingsent. sender node ID gives the sender's node ID or 0x00 if unassigned.

Additional data may follow these two data items as needed. In oneembodiment, sender node ID is one byte, and thus operation of system 100may include up to 255 different transmitting devices (e.g., tags 102,receivers 104, and transmitters 106, 108).

Operation:

The operation of system 100 is described from the point of view of theparticipating devices. At first, operation is assumed to be with aseparate backhaul network (i.e., using network 120) for transferringdata from receivers 104 to computer 110. Later, using the UWB asbackhaul will be discussed, wherein data sent from receivers 104 tocomputer 110 are transmitted wirelessly and share the bandwidth providedby allocation of time slots 200.

Master Transmitter

Master transmitter 106 contains a very stable clock and transmits mastertime mark 302 at the start of each transmission block 300 to provideglobal timing to system 100. Only one master transmitter 106 is usedwithin system 100 and is positioned to maximize the number of otherdevices 102, 104, 108 that receive its transmission (i.e., master timemark 302). Master transmitter 106 is assumed to have adequate amounts ofpower to receive and transmit as needed.

FIG. 5 shows one example data field 204 of master time mark 302. Withindata field 204, master time mark 302 includes a time slot counter 502, atime slot reservations area 504, and an auxiliary command area 506. Timeslot counter 502 is an integer value that is initialized to zero andincremented by the number of time slots 200 within each transmissionblock 300 (e.g., 128) for each new transmission of master time mark 302.Within master time mark 302, time slot counter 502 thereby identifiesthe time slot 200 of the current transmission. In one example, slotcounter 502 is implemented as a 32 bit number, and therefore does notwrap around for 156 hours (6.5 days) of continuous operation. Auxiliarycommand area 506 is an optional command and argument area that allowscontrol commands and data to be included within master time mark 302 andthus receives by any receiving device (e.g., tags 102, receivers 104,and slave transmitters 108).

FIG. 6 shows time slot reservations area 504 of FIG. 5 in furtherexample detail. Time slot reservations area 504 contains an array oftime slot allocations 601, where each time slot allocation 601 includesa node ID 602, a time slot value 604, an interval value 606, a phasevalue 608, and a time mark phase value 610. Node ID 602 identifies thetransmitter (e.g., a tag 102) to which the reservation applies, and timeslot value 604 identifies one time slot 200 within transmission block300 (e.g., a value from 6 to 126). In one embodiment, time slotreservations area 504 includes four time slot allocations 601, where afirst master time mark 302 includes time slot allocations 601 for afirst four different wireless tags 102, a subsequent master time mark302 includes time slot allocations 601 for a next different set of fourwireless tags, and so on, repeating in a cyclic manner. Use of intervalvalue 606, phase value 608, and time mark phase value 610 is describedin detail below.

FIG. 10 is a schematic illustrating example distribution of time slotallocations 601 within transmission frame 400, where each block mayinclude time slot allocations 601 for four different wireless tags 102.In the example of FIG. 3, up to two-hundred and fifty-six time slotallocations 601 may be included for different transmitting nodes (e.g.,tags 102 and receivers 104). Although shown to be allocated sequentiallywithin transmission frame 400, time slot allocations 601 may beallocated dynamically as tags 102 announce themselves to system 100, andmay therefore not be in sequence.

Once configured, master transmitter 106 emits master time mark 302precisely at a period of transmission block 300 until system 100 is shutdown.

Slave Transmitter(s)

Optionally, one or both of slave transmitters 108(1) and 108(2) may beincluded to extend operation of system 100 beyond the transmission rangeof master transmitter 106. Slave transmitters 108(1) and 108(2) transmitslave time mark 304(1) and 304(2), respectively, and may be positionedsuch that all devices (e.g., tags 102 and receivers 104) of system 100within operational area 150 are able to receive at least one of mastertime mark 302 and slave time marks 304(1) and 104(2). In electricaldesign, each slave transmitter 108 is substantially identical to mastertransmitter 106, and is positioned such that (a) it is in range toreceive master time mark 302, and (b) a sufficient number of receivers104 are able to receive both slave time mark 304 and master time mark302.

Each included slave transmitter 108 is configured via network 120 andreceives its unique node ID, which defines which time slots 200 ittransmits within, in each transmission block 300, as shown in FIG. 3(i.e., if assigned as the first slave transmitter, it transmits withintime slots 2 and 3, otherwise it transmits in time slots 4 and 5).

Once each included slave transmitter 108 is configured, it transmitsslave time mark 304 containing its node ID, an adjusted slot counter(i.e., slave transmitter 108(1) sends master time mark 302 slotcounter+2, and slave transmitter 108(2) sends master time mark 302 slotcounter+4) and the same information as time slot reservations area 504and auxiliary command area 506 as in master time mark 302.

If able, each slave transmitter 108 synchronizes with master transmitter106 by receiving master time mark 302 to determine parameters forconverting global time to their local clock and thereby align itselfwith its allocated time slot. If slave transmitter 108 does not receivemaster time mark 302, it may receive transmissions from one or moreother nodes (e.g., tags 102 and other transmitter 108) and align itselfwith its allocated time slot 200 based upon information of time slotreservation table 114. Via network 120, slave transmitter 108 mayreceive information as to how to adjust its local clock to be morealigned with master transmitter 106. For example, if at least onereceiver 104 receives both master time mark 302 and slave time mark 304,then, based upon received data for each of these received time marks302, 304, computer 110 may determine an alignment error between slavetime mark 304 and master time mark 302 and provide an adjustment toslave transmitter 108 via network 120.

Receivers:

Each receiver 104 is positioned such that transmissions from tags 102within operational area 150 are received. Each receiver 104 is connectedto computer 110 via network 120 and has a stable clock. Each receiver104 is able to receive at least one of master time mark 302 and slavetime mark 304, and thereby synchronizes itself for operation withinsystem 100. Operation of receiver 104 assumes adequate amounts of powerto receive and transmit as needed.

In an example mode of operation, receiver 104 receives alltransmissions, records data received within transmission and at least atimestamp indicative of the time the transmission was received, andoptionally one or more of signal strength, signal quality, and so on.Receiver 104 then sends this information via network 120 to computer110.

Tags:

Tags 102 are attached to objects, such as people, athletes, balls, andso on, that are to be tracked within operational area 150. Tags 102utilize power from at least one battery and therefore system 100operates to configure each tag 102 with a desired ping rate such thateach tag 102 transmits only as often as necessary, thereby reducingpower consumption and the size of the battery needed to power the tag102.

To conserve battery power, tag 102 configures itself in a low-power mode(also known as sleep mode) when not required to transmit, receive, orperform other operations. When initially powered on, tag 102 configuresitself to periodically wake, at a low duty cycle, to receive master timemark 302 or slave time mark 304. In one embodiment, tag 102 awakens andactivates its receiver to “listen” for a period greater than duration tbof one transmission block 300 once every minute, and thereby has a verylow duty cycle (e.g., about 0.03%). The sleep interval between listeningperiods may be varied to aid in randomizing tag wake up times, therebyreducing likelihood of repeating transmission collisions where two tagsawaken at the same time to request configuration.

Since tag 102 is listening for a period greater than the duration of onetransmission block 300, it is assured of receiving master time mark 302and/or slave time mark 304 when in range of an operational system 100.When tag 102 does not receive a master time make (or slave time mark) itassumes that it is not within range of operational system 100 andreturns to its low-power mode.

As shown in FIG. 3, time slot 127 of each transmission block 300 isreserved for announcements 308 from tags 102 that are not yet configuredby system 100. Since there are likely to be few unconfigured tags 102during operation of system 100, and since time slot 127 precedes timeslot 0 of a subsequent transmission block 300, time slot 127 istypically transmission free prior to transmission of master time mark302 during operation.

When unconfigured, upon receiving master time mark 302 or slave timemark 304, tag 102 determines a current slot counter of the receivedtransmission. It may also determine whether the received transmissionwas from master transmitter 106 or a slave transmitter 108 using eitherthe received node ID or the received slot counter 502.

Tag 102 then computes a start time for time slot 127 of the currenttransmission block 300 and transmits announcement 308 within time slot127 to identify itself to system 100, where tag announce 308 packetcontains a long serial number or MAC address that uniquely identifiestag 102. Optionally, announcement 308 also includes other parametersfrom tag 102 (e.g., battery level, and so on). Announcement 308 islimited in length to duration dt of a single time slot 200.

After sending announcement 308, tag 102 configures itself to awaken froma low-power mode to receive master time mark 302 in a transmission block300 that is several (e.g., sixteen) blocks into the future, whereinallocator 112 inserts time slot reservation information within thatblock. This block delay (e.g., sixteen blocks) allows allocator 112 timeto process the received announce 308, update time slot reservation table114, and send the appropriate time slot reservation information tomaster transmitter 106 and optionally to slave transmitters 108. Uponreceiving its slot reservation information, tag 102 configures itself totransmit tracking information (e.g., a locate message and/or othercollected information) during the assigned time slot 200.

With some probability due to collision with another announce packet fromanother tag 102, announce 308 may not be received by any receiver 104.When this occurs, tag 102 does not receive any time slot reservationinformation in the appropriate master time mark 302 or slave time marks304 and therefore tag 102 configures itself to sleep for a variableperiod of between one and five seconds and then listens for a nextmaster time mark 302 or slave time mark 304 and tries to announce again.In this way, every tag 102 awaiting configuration by computer 110 islikely to receive time slot reservation information eventually.

Announcement 308 may be received by one or more receivers 104, andreceived data and other information of announcement 308 is sent tocomputer 110. Allocator 112, based upon a desired ping rate for tag 102and time slot reservation table 114, determining a time slot value, aninterval, and a phase value for tag 102 to allocate at least one timeslot 200 for use by tag 102.

The following table shows example time slot reservations that definedesired ping rates of 60 Hz, 30 Hz, and 1 Hz:

Ping Time Rate Slot Interval Phase Description 60 Hz 23 1 N/A This taguses slot 23 in every block. 30 Hz 25 2 0 This tag uses slot 25 in evenblocks. 30 Hz 25 2 1 This tag uses slot 25 in odd blocks, sharing slot25 with the above 30 Hz tag1.  1 Hz 15 60 27  This tag uses slot 15 whenslot counter mod (128 * 60) = 27.

The interval value is a positive integer defining a block intervalperiod between transmissions by tag 102. In the above example, aninterval value of one indicates that the tag is to transmit everytransmission block 300. For example, where duration dt of transmissionblock 300 is about 16.9 ms, this achieves a ping rate of about 60 Hz. Aninterval value of two indicates that the tag is to transmit every othertransmission block 300, and an interval value of sixty indicates thatthe tag is to transmit once every sixty transmission blocks 300. Wherethe interval value is greater than one, a phase value indicates withinwhich of the interval value blocks the tag is to transmit. Each phasevalue has a range of zero to interval value minus one and in oneembodiment, tag 102 is configured to transmit when the current time slotmod (Time Slots per Block*Interval Value) is equal to the Phase Value.Thus, the defined Interval Value determines the number of tags 102 thatmay share use of the identified time slot. In the 60 Hz example of theabove table, sixty tags 102, each tag having a different phase value,may share use of time slot 15 without collision, each operating with aping rate of 1 Hz.

This slot reservation methodology allows each tag 102 operating withinsystem 100 to be configured with a desired ping rate (also referred toas transmission interval or transmission rate). For example, based uponthe application supported by the wireless communication between the tags102 and computer 110, the application may dynamically select a desiredtransmission rate for each wireless tag 102. Further, by assigning twotime slots 200 to tag 102, each time slot positioned half a block apart(e.g., time slots 6 and 70), a desired transmission rate of 120 Hz maybe achieved. Where location of tag 102 is determined from eachtransmission, the desired ping rate may be based upon expected movementof tag 102.

In addition to the time slot reservation, interval value and phasevalue, defined in the above table, each tag 102 is also assigned a timemark phase value 610 that instructs tag 102 when to listen for changesin its dynamically allocated time slot reservation. For example, usingthe above 1 Hz ping rate example, where tag 102 is configured with atime mark phase value 610 of three, tag 102 only receives time slotreservation information within the third master time mark 302 (or slavetime mark 304) of each transmission frame 400. That is, tag 102 maydetermine which master time mark to listen to by evaluating‘current-time-slot mod time-slots-per-block=time-mark-phase’. If theevaluation result is true, the current master time mark 302 contains atime slot allocation 601 for the tag. Thus, tag 102 need not activateits receiver to receive time marks 302, 304 when it is not expected totransmit during that block 300 and not expecting to receive time slotreservation information. Further, using the time mark phase value 610,tag 102 may determine a future time slot number containing its time slotreservations, and thereby determine a precise time when to listen forchanges to its configuration. This allows tag 102 to limit the amount oftime it needs to be actively receiving time marks 302, 304, to only thetimes when its time slot reservation is expected or for transmissionblocks 300 containing its allocated time slot 200.

During a first configuration of tag 102, master time mark 302 and slavetime marks 304 may assign a node ID to the tag so that the long address,serial number, or MAC address is not needed to identify the tag insubsequent transmissions.

Once tag 102 has received its time slot reservation information, itbegins transmitting transmission packets 202 at the desired transmissionrate, each transmission fitting within one time slot 200. Each of thesetransmission packets 202 contains a packet type indicating that it is alocation packet and the assigned node ID of tag 102 and optionally anyadditional parameters the tag wants to transfer to computer 110, up tothe maximum packet size that fits within one time slot 200.

Computer 110 may confirm that tag 102 has been successfully configuredwhen it receives, from any receiver 104, data and parameters of areceived packet from the tag indicating the appropriate use of theallocated time slot 200.

Preferably, tag 102 is configured to receive its time slot reservationinformation within a master time mark 302 of the same transmission block300 within which it is configures to transmit. Such configuration allowstag 102 to refresh/confirm its time slot reservation information andreceive timing that allows tag 102 to adjust for local clock drift andthereby retain accuracy for transmission within its allocated time slot200. Typically, time slot reservation information updates occur at arate of less than once per transmission frame 400 (e.g., once persixty-four blocks), and thus each master time mark 302 (and slave timemarks 304) may include time slot reservation information for up to fourdifferent tags 102, as shown in FIG. 6.

If, during operation, tag 102 is unable to receive master time mark 302,it may expand its receive period to also include slave time marks 304,if available. Then, upon receiving slave time mark 304, tag 102 may thenconfigure itself to listen only to the strongest (master or slave) timemark 302, 304 until that is no longer received, then expand itsreceiving period to search again (i.e., once syncing with slave timemark 304, tag 102 may utilize only slave time mark 304 until it can nolonger be received).

Tag 102 may be configured to stop sending transmission packets 202 byallocating time slot 0 to the tag, whereupon tag 102 does not transmit,but still receives master time mark 302 containing its time slotreservation information. This effectively stops tag 102 fromtransmitting until a new time slot 200 is assigned, but does not requiretag 102 to start the annunciation process again, since tag 102 is stillreceiving one of time marks 302, 304 and maintaining timing accuracythereby.

If tag 102 does not receive its time slot reservation information forsixteen cycles, it returns to the unconfigured state, listens for a timemark, and tries to reconnect to system 100 by sending announcement 308at the appropriate time when a time mark is received. Thus, when system100 is shutdown, master and slave transmitters 106, 108 stoptransmitting time marks 302, 304, respectively, and all tags ceaseoperation (i.e., transmission) within sixteen cycles of their respectiveslot reservation update period.

Once slot reservation information has been received, tag 102 knows whento transmit and which time marks 302, 304 to receive for time slotreservation information. Thus, tag 102 may configure itself in low-powermode between these periods to conserve battery power.

General Operation:

Master transmitter 106 and slave transmitters 108 transmit time marks302, 304, that are received by receivers 104. Tags 102 transmittransmission packets 202 that may be received by receivers 104.Receivers 104 send data received, along with packet information, tocomputer 110.

Computer 110 receives data from receivers 104 and may then communicatethis data to one or more application devices 190. For example, basedupon the received data, application device 190 may compute the locationof each tag 102 using time difference of arrival (TDOA) algorithms andother techniques, as known in the art. From these determined locations,application device 190 may generate position reports that are providedto yet other applications. Computer 110 may use data from receiver 104to detect unregistered tags and possible errors in system 100. Computer110 may also record (log) the data received from receivers 104 in a rawformat, which may be useful as input for testing future algorithms orfor system performance analysis.

Performance:

In the example of FIG. 3, with two slave transmitters 108, time slots 6through 126 of each transmission block 300 are available for use by tags102. Where transmission block 300 is fully utilized, transmissions fromone-hundred and twenty one tags 102 may be received during each block.Where duration tb is 16.8 ms, this allows about 7,200 tag transmissionsto be received without collision each second. The dynamic allocation ofsystem 100 allows these transmissions to be received as 120 tagstransmitting at 60 Hz, 240 tags transmitting at 30 Hz, 360 tagstransmitting at 20 Hz, and any mixture of rates and quantities that donot exceed the limitations of system 100.

Processing of this volume of data from receivers 104 requiressignificant computational resources, and a significant load may beimparted onto computer 110 and application device 190 if connected.Computer 110 may therefore be implemented as multiple computers withoutdeparting from the scope hereof.

Auxiliary Command:

As shown in FIG. 5, time mark 302 (and time marks 304) includesauxiliary command area 506 which may include commands and parameters asneeded. In one example, auxiliary command area 506 is used to initiate atwo way ranging (TWR) between any two of: tags 102, receivers 104,master transmitter 106, and slave transmitter(s) 108, and parameters mayidentify allocated time slots 200 for that purpose. In another example,auxiliary command area 506 is used to transfer bulk data between any twoof tags 102, receivers 104, master transmitter 106, and slavetransmitter(s) 108. In another example, auxiliary command is used toprovide over-the-air updates to firmware within any one or more of tags102, receivers 104, master transmitter 106, and slave transmitter(s)108.

Using a Single Radio Link for Tag Transmissions and Data Backhaul:

For development and trial deployment of system 100, and possible end useof system 100 in more limited scenarios, a single radio link may be usedfor both wireless communication from tags 102 to receivers 104, and fortransfer of information from receivers 104 to computer 110 (databackhaul), thereby alleviating the need for network 120.

In one embodiment, when using the single radio link for both tagtransmission and data backhaul, system 100 is necessarily limited by thewireless bandwidth of the single radio link. For example, the number oftags 102 and receivers 104 that may be used concurrently within system100 is limited, as compared to the number of tags 102 and receiver 104that may be used when network 120 is used for data backhaul. To use theshared radio link, receivers 104 are configured to transmit as well asreceive, all tags 102 and receivers 104 need to be able to receivemaster time mark 302 from master transmitter 106, and master transmitter106 is configured to receive data from receivers 104 and provide it tocomputer 110.

For reasonable performance, receivers 104 are configured to “batch up”data reports from more than one tag 102 into a single transmission tomaster transmitter 106 and computer 110. Assuming reception oftransmission packet 202 at any one receiver 104 generates twenty bytesof data, if the receiver is allocated four time slots for a batched datareport, then the batched data report may contain data for up to sixteenreceived transmission packets 202 from tags 102. Assuming system 100 hasa maximum of twenty receivers, then an example layout of block 300 wouldbe: master: time slots 0-1, tag1: time slot 2, tag2: time slot 3, tag3:time slot 4, . . . , tag16: time slot 17, empty: time slots 18-46,receiver1: time slots 47-50, receiver2: time slots 51-54, receiver3:time slots 55-58, . . . , receiver20: time slots 123-126, and announce:time slot 127.

Empty time slots 18-46 provide time for receivers 104 to formulate thereceiver tag report (batch) and do any computations needed prior totransmission. For example, where duration tb is 16.8 ms and block 300contains one-hundred and twenty-eight time slots 200, empty time slots18-46 provide a period of about 3.8 ms for the receiver to prepare thebatched data report for transmission.

In this example configuration, system 100 performs about 960 tag locatesper second. This could be sixteen tags transmitting at 60 Hz, thirty-twotags transmitting at 30 Hz, forty-eight tags transmitting at 20 Hz,ninety-six tags transmitting at 10 Hz, or various mixtures of rates andquantity. Empty slots 18-46 may be reduced to increase tag rates ifdesired.

Receivers 104 may be configured with their dedicated time slots using asimilar mechanism as described above for tags 102; each receiver 104 mayreceive a slot reservation in response to their transmission of anannouncement 308 packet. Since receivers 104 are not connected to awired network, they synchronize with master transmitter 106 usingannounce 308 packet.

The additional use of data backhaul does not allow for use of slavetransmitters 108. Therefore, all tags 102 and receivers 104 need toreceive master time mark 302 from master transmitter 106.

In another embodiment, system 100 is configured as a hybrid of the aboveconfigurations where master transmitter 106 and slave transmitters 108are on a wired or separate network, but receivers 104 use UWB backhaulfor receiver tag reports. In this embodiment, slave transmitters 108 maycollect data from receivers 104 that are not received by mastertransmitter 106.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating one example method 700 fordynamically scheduling wireless transmissions without collision. Method700 is for example implemented within master transmitter 106 andcomputer 110. In step 702, method 700 transmits a time mark definingstart of a transmission block that is divided into a plurality of timeslots. In one example of step 702, master transmitter 106 transmitsmaster time mark 302 at the start of transmission block 300, which isdivided into a plurality of time slots 200. In step 704, method 700receives, during a dedicated announcement time slot of the plurality oftime slots, an announcement from a wireless tag. In one example of step704, allocator 112 receives, via receiver 104, announcement 308 whentransmitted by wireless tag 102 within time slot 127. In step 706,method 700 allocates, in response to the announcement, a tagtransmission time slot to the wireless tag. In one example of step 706,allocator 112 allocates time slot 27 to wireless tag 102. In step 708,method 700 includes indication of the allocation of the tag transmissiontime slot within at least one subsequent time mark. In one example ofstep 708, master transmitter 106 includes time slot allocation 601within a subsequent master time mark 302.

Steps 702 through 708 repeat to periodically transmit master time mark302 to receive announcements 308, and to allocate time slots 200 towireless tags 102.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are a flowchart illustrating one example method 800 withdynamically scheduled wireless tag transmissions. Method 800 is forexample implemented within each wireless tag 102. Method 800 may be alsoimplemented within other devices that transmit information to computer110, such as receiver 104, and transmitter 106, 108.

In step 802, method 800 sleeps. In one example of step 802, tag 102sleeps for one minute. In step 804, method 800 wakes to receive a timemark. In one example of step 804, tag 102 wakes and activates itsreceiver for 20 ms to receive time mark 302 and/or 304. Step 806 is adecision. If, in step 806, method 800 determines that a time mark wassuccessfully received in step 804, method 800 continues with step 808;otherwise method 800 continues with step 802. Steps 802 through 806repeat until tag 102 receives a time mark 302 and/or 304.

In step 808, method 800 sleeps until a next announcement time slot. Inone example of step 808, tag 102 configures a timer, implemented withintag 102, to mature at the start of announcement time slot 127 of thecurrent block 300 and then configures itself into a low power mode towait for the timer to mature. In step 810, method 800 wakes andtransmits an announcement. In one example of step 810, the timer maturesand wakes tag 102, which then transmits announcement 308. In step 812,method 800 sleeps until the time slot allocation block. In one exampleof step 812, tag 102 configures a timer to wake tag 102 at the start ofthe sixteenth subsequent transmission block 300, and then configuresitself in a low power mode.

In step 814, method 800 wakes to receive the time mark and its slotallocation. In one example of step 814, the timer matures and wakes tag102, which then activates its receiver to receive master time mark 302,which is expected to contain its time slot allocation information.

Step 816 is a decision. If, in step 816, method 800 determines that thetime slot information was included within the received time mark, method800 continues with step 818 of FIG. 9; otherwise, method 800 continueswith step 802. Steps 802 through 816 thus repeat until tag 102 receivesits time slot allocation information.

Step 818 is optional. If included, in step 818, method 800 stores thereceived time slot information. In one example of step 818, tag 102stores time slot allocation 601 indicating a time slot 200 value oftwenty-seven, an interval of one, and a phase of zero, within a memoryof tag 102. Step 820 is optional. If included, in step 820, method 800performs other work. In one example of step 820, tag 102 may includeother sensors that are activated and read during step 820 to monitorbiometrics parameters of an athlete configured with tag 102. In step822, method 800 sleeps until a next transmission block. In one exampleof step 822, based upon received time slot information, tag 102configures a time to wake tag 102 at the start of the next transmissionblock 300, and then configures itself into a low power mode.

In step 824, method 800 wakes to receive a time mark. In one example ofstep 824, the timer matures and wakes tag 102, which activates itsreceiver to receive master time mark 302 and synchronizes its internalclock with the received master time mark 302. In step 826, method 800sleeps until its assigned time slot. In one example of step 826, tag 102configures a timer to mature at the start of time slot twenty-seven ofthe current block. In step 828, method 800 wakes and transmits itstransmission packet. In one example of step 828, the timer awakens tag102, which activates its transmitter and transmits transmission packet202.

Steps 820 through 828 repeat until new time slot allocation 601 isreceived or until time marks are not received for sixteen consecutivecycles, whereupon method 800 returns to step 802.

Changes may be made in the above methods and systems without departingfrom the scope hereof. It should thus be noted that the matter containedin the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings should beinterpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. The followingclaims are intended to cover all generic and specific features describedherein, as well as all statements of the scope of the present method andsystem, which, as a matter of language, might be said to falltherebetween. In particular, the following embodiments are specificallycontemplated, as well as any combinations of such embodiments that arecompatible with one another:

-   A. A system dynamically schedules wireless transmissions without    collision within a repeating frame. Each frame is divided into a    plurality of consecutive blocks and each block is divided into a    plurality of consecutive time slots, a first predefined time slot in    each block is used for announcement transmissions. The system    includes a master transmitter capable of transmitting a master time    mark during a second predefined time slot in each block. The master    time mark includes a time slot reservation area for indicating    dynamic allocation of time slots. The system also includes a    processor communicatively coupled with the master transmitter, a    non-transitory memory communicatively coupled with the processor, a    time slot reservation table stored within the memory for tracking    the predefined time slots and dynamic allocation of the time slots    within each block, and an allocator, implemented as machine readable    instructions stored in the memory and executed by the processor,    capable of: allocating, based upon the time slot reservation table,    at least one unallocated time slot in at least one of the plurality    of blocks for use by a transmitting device in response to an    announcement message received from the transmitting device during    the first predefined time slot; and updating the time slot    reservation area and the time slot reservation table to indicate the    allocation of the at least one time slot to the transmitting device.    The transmitting device receives a subsequent master time mark and    transmits only during the indicated at least one time slot of a    subsequent frame.-   B. In the system denoted as A, the allocator being further capable    of calculating an interval value and a phase value for the at least    one time slot. The interval value and the phase value indicating in    which of the plurality of blocks of each frame the at least one time    slot occurs.-   C. In either of the systems denoted as A or B, the interval value    being a positive integer defining a block interval period, and the    phase value being an integer having a range of zero to the interval    value minus one and defines within which of the interval value block    the at least one time slot occurs.-   D. In any of the systems denoted as A-C, each frame having a    duration tf, each block has a duration tb, and each time slot has a    duration tt, the allocator further capable of calculating the    interval value and the phase value based upon tf, tb, and tt and a    desired transmission period (ping rate) of the transmitting device.-   E. In any of the systems denoted as A-D, further including at least    one slave transmitter communicatively coupled with the processor and    capable of transmitting a slave time mark during a third predefined    time slot of each block, the slave time mark including a copy of the    time slot reservation area. The at least one slave transmitter is    located to extend the transmission range of the master transmitter.-   F. In any of the systems denoted as A-E, further including at least    one receiver in communication with the processor and located to    receive transmissions from the master transmitter and the one    transmitting device.-   G. In any of the systems denoted as A-F, the transmitting device    being attached to an object to be tracked at a sporting event.-   H. In any of the systems denoted as A-G, the transmitting device    determining the timing of the at least one time slot based upon a    time of receiving each master time mark and a time slot counter    stored within the master time mark.-   I. In any of the systems denoted as A-H, the master transmitter    further capable of automatically incrementing a time slot counter    stored within the master time mark.-   J. A method dynamically schedules wireless transmissions without    collision. A master transmitter periodically transmits a time mark    during a first predefined time slot of a plurality of consecutive    time slots that form a transmission block. A plurality of    consecutive transmission blocks form a frame. An announcement    transmission from a wireless transmitting device is received via at    least one receiver during a second predefined time slot of the    plurality of time slots. An allocator allocates, at least partly    based upon the received announcement transmission, a third time slot    of the plurality of time slots to the wireless transmitting device.    A time slot reservation area of at least one subsequently    transmitted time mark includes indication of the allocation of the    third time slot to the wireless transmitting device. The wireless    transmitting device receives the subsequently transmitted time mark    and transmits only during the third time slot of subsequent frames.-   K. In the method denoted as J, calculating, when allocating, an    interval value and a phase value for the third time slot based upon    a desired ping rate of the wireless transmitting device. The    interval value and the phase value indicate in which of a plurality    of subsequent transmission blocks of each frame the third time slot    occurs.-   L. In either of the methods denoted as J or K, the interval value is    a positive integer defining a block interval period and the phase    value is an integer having a range of zero to the interval value    minus one and defining within which of the interval value blocks of    each frame the third time slot occurs.-   M. In any of the methods denoted as J-L, each frame has a duration    df, each block has a duration tb, and each time slot has a duration    tt. The interval value and the phase value are calculated based upon    tf, tb, and tt and the desired ping rate of the wireless    transmitting device.-   N. In any of the methods denoted as J-M, further including storing    indication of the allocated time slots within a time slot    reservation table. The step of allocating utilizing the time slot    reservation table to allocate an un-allocated time slot to the    wireless transmitter.-   O. In any of the methods denoted as J-N, the first predefined time    slot and the second predefined time slot are invariant within each    transmission block.-   P. In any of the methods denoted as J-O, the third time slot is not    concurrently allocated to other wireless transmitting devices.-   Q. In any of the methods denoted as J-P, further including    transmitting from at least one slave transmitter a slave time mark    during a fourth predetermined time slot of each block. The slave    time mark is based upon the time mark, and the slave transmitter is    positioned to extend the operational range of the master    transmitter.-   R. In any of the methods denoted as J-Q, further including    automatically incrementing, within the master transmitter, a time    slot counter and including the time slot counter within the master    time mark, such that the time slot counter indicates a sequential    number of the most recent time slot.-   S. In any of the methods denoted as J-R, the wireless transmitting    device determines timing of the third time slot based upon receiving    each master time mark.-   T. In any of the methods denoted as J-S, the wireless transmitting    device is attached to an object to be tracked at a sporting event.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for dynamically scheduling wirelesstransmissions without collision within a repeating frame, wherein eachframe is divided into a plurality of consecutive blocks and each blockis divided into a plurality of consecutive time slots, wherein a firstpredefined time slot in each block is used for announcementtransmissions, said system comprising: a master transmitter fortransmitting a master time mark during a second predefined time slot ineach block, wherein the master time mark includes a time slotreservation area for indicating dynamic allocation of time slots; aprocessor communicatively coupled with the master transmitter; a memorycommunicatively coupled with the processor; a time slot reservationtable stored within the memory for tracking the predefined time slotsand dynamically allocating the time slots within each block; and anallocator, implemented as machine readable instructions stored in thememory and executed by the processor, for: allocating, based upon thetime slot reservation table, at least one unallocated time slot in atleast one of the plurality of blocks for use by a transmitting device inresponse to an announcement message received from the transmittingdevice during the first predefined time slot; updating the time slotreservation area and the time slot reservation table to indicateallocation of the at least one time slot to the transmitting device;wherein the master transmitter is configured via the processor; andwherein the transmitting device receives a subsequent master time markand is configured to transmit only during the indicated at least onetime slot of a subsequent frame.
 2. The system of claim 1, the allocatoradapted to calculate an interval value and a phase value for the atleast one time slot, wherein the interval value and the phase valueindicate in which of the plurality of blocks of each frame the at leastone time slot occurs.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the intervalvalue is a positive integer defining a block interval period, andwherein the phase value is an integer having a range of zero to theinterval value minus one and defines within which of the interval valueblocks the at least one time slot occurs.
 4. The system of claim 2,wherein each frame has a duration tf, each block has a duration tb, andeach time slot has a duration tt, the allocator further comprisingmachine readable instructions executable by the processor forcalculating the interval value and the phase value based upon tf, tb,and tt and a desired transmission ping rate of the transmitting device.5. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one slavetransmitter communicatively coupled with the processor and configuredfor transmitting a slave time mark during a third predefined time slotof each block, the slave time mark including a copy of the time slotreservation area, wherein the at least one slave transmitter is locatedto extend the transmission range of the master transmitter.
 6. Thesystem of claim 1, further comprising at least one receiver incommunication with the processor and located to receive transmissionsfrom the master transmitter and the one transmitting device.
 7. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the transmitting device is attached to anobject to be tracked at a sporting event.
 8. The system of claim 1,wherein the transmitting device determines the timing of the at leastone time slot based upon a time of receiving each master time mark and atime slot counter stored within the master time mark.
 9. The system ofclaim 1, the master transmitter further configured for automaticallyincrementing a time slot counter stored within the master time mark. 10.A method for dynamically scheduling wireless transmissions withoutcollision, said method comprising: periodically transmitting, via amaster transmitter, a time mark during a first predefined time slot of aplurality of consecutive time slots that form a transmission block,wherein a plurality of consecutive transmission blocks form a frame;receiving, via at least one receiver and during a second predefined timeslot of the plurality of time slots, an announcement transmission from awireless transmitting device; allocating, at least partly based upon thereceived announcement transmission, a third time slot of the pluralityof time slots to the wireless transmitting device; and includingindication of the allocation of the third time slot to the wirelesstransmitting device within a time slot reservation area of at least onesubsequently transmitted time mark; wherein the wireless transmittingdevice is configured to receive the subsequently transmitted time markand transmits data during the third time slot of subsequent frames. 11.The method of claim 10, the step of allocating further comprisingcalculating an interval value and a phase value for the third time slotbased upon a desired ping rate of the wireless transmitting device,wherein the interval value and the phase value indicate in which of aplurality of subsequent transmission blocks of each frame the third timeslot occurs.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the interval value is apositive integer defining a block interval period, and wherein the phasevalue is an integer having a range of zero to the interval value minusone and defines within which of the interval value blocks of each framethe third time slot occurs.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein eachframe has a duration df, each block has a duration tb, and each timeslot has a duration tt, the step of calculating comprising calculatingthe interval value and the phase value based upon tf, tb, and tt and thedesired ping rate of the wireless transmitting device.
 14. The method ofclaim 10, further comprising storing indication of the allocated timeslots within a time slot reservation table, wherein the step ofallocating utilizes the time slot reservation table to allocate anun-allocated time slot to the wireless transmitter.
 15. The method ofclaim 10, wherein the first predefined time slot and the secondpredefined time slot are invariant within each transmission block. 16.The method of claim 10, wherein the third time slot is not concurrentlyallocated to other wireless transmitting devices.
 17. The method ofclaim 10, further comprising transmitting from at least one slavetransmitter a slave time mark during a fourth predetermined time slot ofeach block, wherein the slave time mark is based upon the time mark, andwherein the slave transmitter is positioned to extend the operationalrange of the master transmitter.
 18. The method of claim 10, furthercomprising automatically incrementing, within the master transmitter, atime slot counter and including the time slot counter within the mastertime mark, wherein the time slot counter indicates a sequential numberof the most recent time slot.
 19. The method of claim 10, wherein thewireless transmitting device determines timing of the third time slotbased upon receiving each master time mark.
 20. The method of claim 10,wherein the wireless transmitting device is attached to an object to betracked at a sporting event.